We, or Me

I am presuppossing here that you (the reader) are past the stage where "everything is great bar the sex" and are at the realisation point that the dysfunctional aspects of your marriage ain't changing.

Essentially, at the point where you suspect that the "we" dynamic no longer exists (if in fact it ever did) or at least, does not work in any useful way.

At this point, a change in your focus is well in order. Continuing on in "we" thinking is highly inadvisable at this point. "We" thinking is only going to hold you up, at best - or stall you completely, at worst. The refusive party in the dynamic will gobble up any "we" thinking and apply it selectively to suit their agenda - which essentially is buying more time. To spin the free ride out as long as possible. There will be (as usual) no reciprocal "we" thinking brought to the table by the refusive that has the remotest relevance to YOUR interests.

You are, (as you have probably been suspecting), on your own with advancing YOUR agenda. There will be no assistance or support from the refusive party for you. Indeed, there is far more likelyhood of obstruction and undermining by the refusive in an attempt to de-rail your agenda.

If you continue with "we" thinking, you are complicit in your own problem, for THERE IS NO "WE".

Rather there is "me" the refusive (and believe me, they have, are, and will continue to operate on a "me" basis) and there is "me" (as in 'you').

If you continue to make choices on a basis of "we" then you will be assisting the refusive in their time buying agenda. That is most definitely NOT in your best interests.

Your choices have to shift to a focus of "me". Your best interests. Your future. Your aspirations. Your personal growth. Your evolvement as a person.
There are no "we" best interests / future / aspirations / growth / evolvement. For there is no "we" anymore (if indeed there ever was)

This does NOT mean you have to start acting like an arsehole to the refusive. Not at all. But it does mean that you have to undertake your choices on a "me" basis, and, there will be times in this that it displeases the refusive (because they are not getting 'their' way. You'd remember that feeling well I should imagine, after all you had many years of exposure to it. It didn't kill you, did it ? Nor will it kill the refusive to get a dose of reality)

Nor does it mean you have to rush off to divorce (although as ever, it would be wise to see a lawyer in your jurisdiction to see how a divorce would shake out for you).

What it DOES mean, is that you tread your own path. Making your choices on a "me" basis. Just as the refusive did in the past, is still doing now, and will do into the future. Two unique individuals.

In rare rare rare cases, this might have the effect of both parties "me" choices having a lot of common ground, and the relationship might even get to a functional status. I wouldn't be holding my breath, but there have been a couple of cases on these very pages where the relationship got torn down to bare metal and rebuilt into a new and functional state by this process.

Far more likely is the scenario where the process of you adopting "me" choices (and the refusive continuing with their "me" choices) reveals a yawning chasm of irreconcilable differences. And, the stark truths this process will uncover mean that the marriage is highly unlikely to survive the process.
Such a result, painful and difficult as it is, is the right result, for it is based on the core truth. And that is a good thing. A great thing actually.

Another brilliant story from Baz. The uncoupling process is a natural response to an imposable situation. Some of us take longer to get to this point but we all get there. It usually occurs when we cross the threshold of what I call the "last rejection". This is the point where incurring another rejection is more painful than not fulfilling our desire for intimacy. "ME" thinking will usually begin around this time.

I believe it marks the beginning of the end of the marriage. Putting Humpty back together after an extended period of "ME" is not realistic. "ME" thinking represents the end of our pursuit of intimacy with our spouse. Overtime the intimacy is gone and cannot be rebuilt as it is an elusive product of love.

"ME" time is a dangerous time for us. Many of us will feel a weight lifted from our shoulders as we uncouple from our spouses. We may go out more alone or with friends and the binds of our marriage commitments now seem less burdensome if noticed at all. It is a good time to consult an attorney and seek a path to complete the uncoupling process.

And I've always thought that the only reason men would get into a long term monogamous relationship was to ensure a steady supply of sex. So I am bewildered by a man who wants to keep me around, w/o the sex.

I better understand your ME proposals now having read this post but I am still deflated by your stats in this group. Perhaps a lot of the folks that come here are looking for support while they take the next step in their SM (divorcing, separating, etc...) and they just need to hear that they are doing the right thing. On the other hand there may be some who are looking for direction to help resolve their issues or perhaps, as am I, looking for answers that will bring some understanding to the whole issue of a SM. How can we help the "refusive" (now there is a label that takes the human being out of it) maybe its an issue of communication, embarrassment, ignorance, mental illness, fear of doctors or therapists...who knows. I think all should be examined as thoroughly as the ME vs We scenario.

Truth is, gftgwn, by the time people get to this forum they have ALREADY done all the things you have alluded to. They have worked themselves into exhaustion.By the time they are driven to seek an internet forum, and spill their guts to strangers, their marriage is in terminal dysfunction.The type of dysfunctional marriage attracted onto this board is very much at the arse end of the demographic. Basket cases.Keep reading. Look up member mvcmvc and read her stuff (in conjunction with the story she comments on). I am sure you will find it most illuminating. "enna30 is worth following too. So are many others.

I think you are right Bazzar. This isn't the place for me. I am looking for answers to questions that probably will not help me anyway. He loved me. We had 10 yrs of a SM, the last 2 in complete abstinence. The feelings, arguments, depressions etc... about our sexless marriage continued for the first 8 yrs just as I have read in some of these stories. He became terribly ill and died within 2 months of a cancer diagnosis. The doctors tell me that his sexual dysfunction was physiological and directly related to his cancer which they believe had been ongoing throughout these 10 years. He was relieved when the doctors told us this. Guilt now, for me. So many pleadings and arguments...what a waste. Hope that others cross all their T's and dot all their I's before they throw away what might be what you call "the stage" when everything is ok except the sex. Maybe it is.

Thank you for your companionship this evening Bazzar. I can see you do good work here. Have read and learned much. Best wishes to all in their quest for a better quality of life. As for me, perhaps I need another forum to address my particular issues. This was a good place to start.:)

I hear your pain and your guilt. But would your husband have wanted you to feel bad/ guilty? Could it be he understood ( or if you believe it goes on) or understands? My guess is if he were here he would totally forgive you every recrimination. It's really just about the journey...but sometimes it's a little hard to imbibe the philosophy without feeling like you are drinking the koolaid!

I agree that most of us, when we first stumble through the doorway of EP, want very much to believe that ...WE ..is still possible. that somehow we can make that happen and become a normal couple. It takes us awhile to accept the reality of what is really happening, and then decide what we can really do economically, spiritually, physically, mentally. and so it is a process. But, the sooner you are willing to deal with the reality of your situation, the sooner you are able to deal with options. You have the possibility of changing your life for the better. Even small changes matter. The other huge difference, is being able to talk about what is happening in your life. That is a huge help. So, being here and sharing, is already a reality changer..

Whereas in a good, growing marriage, there is indeed a shared being, something that transcends our petty autonomy, your excellent exposure of that not being there highlights the dichotomy. And perpetuates the disaster, and is our responsibility.

I was thinking recently about the phrase "my word is my bond", which once had a real meaning in banking. These days, if you operated that, you'd be shafted.

And I think there is a similar clash of expections (even if they "should" operate, they do not), in a marriage. We get people here who are hung up on the vows or promises, when the other person never bought into that, certainly not in action where it matters. They might trot out nice sounding things, but when it comes to the crunch, don't deliver.

Much as we might not and do not like it, exposing the "stark truths" is a very good thing.

Thank You, bazzar. As I said to one of your comments, I'm working on the me for now to then decide if there is a we.

The step this week is to go through some of the past issues that have caged me. That is going to be a very, very, hard discussion to get through (just thinking of it gets me anxious). But hey, regardless of the outcome for the "we" I'm going to be the better for it.

He is kind and loves me very much, but i just dont like to have sex with him, i get turned on by other people, but when it comes to have sex, i just can't do it. I love him too, but more as a friend or roomate than a husband... is that normal? we've been together for 9 years, it...

I feel for you Razzie, Lord knows I do!! your case, just resembles so well to mine; not gay, not cheater husband, but a nice husband (my husband is a great person I must say) who is more than a roomate than a lover; and me too, I am too young to be a sexless wife; I am sure 3...